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Wilson starts over Pastornicky for opener in LA

Wilson starts over Pastornicky for opener in LA

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LOS ANGELES -- Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez plans to put shortstop Tyler Pastornicky in the starting lineup for the final two games of this week's series against the Dodgers. But because Jack Wilson had experienced some previous success against Chris Capuano, he gained a third consecutive start in Monday night's series opener.

Wilson entered Monday night's matchup having hit .370 (10-for-27) with a double and a home run in his career against Capuano. The 34-year-old veteran has made three consecutive starts since serving as the starting shortstop for just three of the Braves' first 14 games.

Pastornicky batted .136 in his first seven games this year and then enjoyed a three-game hitting streak that brought his batting average up to .200 on Thursday. But since going hitless on Friday, he has been on the bench.

Although Wilson does not possess the range he displayed early in his career, he is still considered the better defensive option.

"It's all part of the process," Pastornicky said. "I got off to an all-right start and then after some balls did not fall, I think I started to press and doing stuff I don't usually do. You find yourself putting yourself into a slump. It's just one of those things where you have to relax and do what I do best, which is to make good, consistent hard contact."